Today we celebrate one of the most beautiful feasts of the Church year: the Solemnity of Corpus Christi; that is the Feast of the Body and Blood of Our Lord. The Holy Eucharist is the heart of our faith because it is JESUS truly present among us under the appearance of bread and wine. But on this day, we do more than just celebrate this great mystery at the altar – we take our faith outside the church building and into the world in the form of a Eucharistic Procession, more commonly known as the Corpus Christi Procession.

This afternoon (Sunday) at 4pm, you are all invited to join us for the Corpus Christi Procession around the church and into the car park, concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament back in the church. We are especially delighted that the children who made their First Holy Communion last weekend will be taking part. This is a wonderful way for them – and all of us – to honour JESUS in the Holy Eucharist and to thank Him for this great gift of Himself to us. Our new Pope, Leo XIV, will himself lead a Corpus Christi Procession this afternoon in Rome from the Basilica of St John Lateran to the Basilica of St Mary Major.

The Corpus Christi Procession is a centuries-old tradition and dates back to the 13^th century. It was established after a Eucharistic miracle at Bolsena in Italy in 1263. A German priest who doubted the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist was celebrating Mass. As He consecrated the Host, it began to bleed, staining the corporal (a square linen cloth) and the altar cloths. The priest interrupted the Mass to go and tell the Pope, Urban IV (1195-1264) who was staying over in the nearby town of Orvieto. The Pope listened to the priest’s account, absolved him and ordered that the miraculous Host and the linen corporal, stained with the Precious Blood, be brought to Orvieto Cathedral. To this day, you can see the blood stained corporal on display in the Cathedral as a relic. One year later the Pope instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi for the whole Church, and since then, Catholics have honoured the Feast with processions – literally bringing Christ out onto the streets and among His people.

So why should you come this afternoon? Because your presence is a witness. In a world where faith is often kept quiet and hidden, walking with JESUS in the Blessed Sacrament is a simple but powerful way of saying, “I believe JESUS is here.” And as we walk, JESUS walks with us and He blesses the paths we walk – not only physically, but spiritually too. He blesses our families, our homes and our daily lives. It is a small sacrifice coming to church again having already attended Mass in the morning or on Saturday evening, but whether you walk, sing, or pray quietly, your presence speaks volumes.

So please come if you can. Bring your family and let us walk together with the Lord. It will be a great blessing for your soul.

Fr Paul Gillham, IC